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- Tasks: Engage with children and families, organise events, and support foster placements.
- Company: Foster Care Associates is a leading fostering agency dedicated to supporting children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company car or allowance, 30 days' leave, pension, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive, family-like environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare or fostering, relevant qualifications, and strong interpersonal skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid role with travel across East Midlands; DBS check needed.
The predicted salary is between 18400 - 25200 £ per year.
Part Time 21 Hours
Location: Hybrid covering Yorks & Lincs and East Midlands. The successful candidate will be expected to regularly travel to the regional office based in Sheffield.
Basic Salary: Up to £13,800 pro rata per annum (£23,000 FTE) Dependent Upon Experience
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 car allowance (pro rata), 30 days' Annual Leave (rising to 35 with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme & On-site Parking
Role responsibilities:
- This is an exciting opportunity and the successful candidate will be required to travel across the region to events around in and around East Midlands and Peterborough.
- Arranging activities and workshops for our looked after and birth children.
- Planning family events and days out.
- Forge close and productive working relationships with colleagues, Foster Parents, external professionals and multi-agency networks.
- Attendance at meetings with Professionals from Education, Health and Social Services sectors to support our Children and Young People's care plans.
- Assessment, review and report writing, and maintaining clear records.
- Be aware of, and take responsibility for staying up to date with professional practice standards, legislation and company policy including confidentiality, GDPR, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Provide support and guidance to our families and help promote the stability of foster placements.
About You:
- Have professional childcare experience, preferably with Fostering sector experience or the ability to demonstrate significant Fostering knowledge and interest.
- Ideally possess a relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work and/or psychology.
- Can demonstrate previous experience of building strong rapports with adults and children with an array of different needs and expectations.
- Able to remain calm when under high levels of pressure, emotionally traumatic situations and when dealing with difficult or confrontational behaviour.
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and databases.
- Have a full driving licence and unrestricted access to your own vehicle.
- Be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.
We are a family of independent fostering agencies, all with our own individual areas of expertise, but with one shared vision. We want to give children across the country who have had a difficult start in life, the support they need to build themselves a stronger and happier future. For our Foster Parents, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.
For an informal discussion about this exciting role, please contact Jo Barrass - Fostering Service Manager on 07967 381036. No agencies please.
Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
Contact Detail:
The FCA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges faced by children in foster care. This knowledge will help you connect with both the children and foster parents during your interactions, showcasing your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fostering sector. Attend local events or workshops related to child welfare and fostering. Building relationships with others in the field can provide valuable insights and may even lead to recommendations for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your ability to handle high-pressure situations by preparing examples from your past experiences. Think of scenarios where you successfully managed conflicts or supported children in emotionally challenging circumstances, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your IT skills by being proficient in Microsoft Office and any relevant databases. Consider brushing up on these tools before your interview, as being tech-savvy is essential for maintaining records and communication in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Participation Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these specific duties.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any professional childcare experience, particularly in fostering or related fields. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to build rapport with children and families, as well as your understanding of the fostering sector.
Showcase Your Skills: Mention your intermediate IT skills and any relevant qualifications. Be sure to include your ability to handle high-pressure situations and your commitment to safeguarding and inclusion, as these are crucial for the role.
Personalise Your Application: Make your application stand out by personalising it. Address why you want to work with Foster Care Associates specifically and how you can contribute to their mission of supporting children and foster parents.
How to prepare for a job interview at The FCA
✨Show Your Passion for Fostering
Make sure to express your genuine interest in fostering and working with children and families. Share any personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field, as it will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a Participation Officer, you'll need to build strong relationships with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with children, parents, and professionals in previous roles to showcase your ability to connect with diverse audiences.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations. Think of specific instances where you successfully managed challenging behaviours or emotional situations, and be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Legislation
Brush up on key legislation and professional practice standards related to fostering, safeguarding, and child welfare. Being knowledgeable about these topics will demonstrate your commitment to staying informed and compliant in your role.
